Overview
Danbury - nicknamed Hat City - is a city in the interior of Fairfield County, Connecticut, making it part of the Litchfield Hills region.
2 sights · 10 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Danbury
Danbury Museum and Historical Society
5 historical buildings: Huntington Hall, the Rider House, John Dodd Hat Shop, the Little Red Schoolhouse, and the Marian Anderson Studio. They also own and operate Charles Ives Birthplace.
Danbury Railway Museum
This historical Danbury train station that closed in 1993 is now a museum that teaches the public about the history of railroading and its role in our town. Activities includ from tours, train rides, exhibits.
Danbury Ice Arena
Hours vary for public skate and events. Home of the Danbury Whalers, a minor league professional ice hockey team in the Federal Hockey League. A great place to take the whole family. Have public skate during the days, as…
Hatters Park
Around 30 acres for outdoor and indoor activities. Has a Duckpin Bowling Alley, banquet hall, pond, picnic area and three softball fields.
War Memorial
Have to obtain a membership to enter or pay one time fee. Activities range from open gyms, fitness center, yoga, karate, dance classes and more. Good place for students in the area to work out. Also are involved in many …
Ritcher Park Golf Course
A full 18 hole, Demo Golf Course that sits on over 180 acres. Perfect for golfers of all skill levels. Aside for being a golf course, Ritcher also contains banquet facilities, tennis courts, and hiking trails.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 15°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Aug. (climate data from nearby Waterbury)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HPN Westchester County Airport, White Plains — 26 mi away. Directions
- HVN Tweed New Haven Airport, New Haven — 32 mi away. Directions
- LGA LaGuardia Airport, New York — 48 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Danbury Museum and Historical Society, War Memorial
- Lunch Michael Angelo's Pizzeria
- Afternoon Candlewood Town Park, AMC Theater
- Dinner Stew Leonard's
- Evening TK's American Cafe
Day 2
- Morning Danbury Railway Museum, Hatters Park
- Lunch C-Town
- Afternoon Ritcher Park Golf Course, Ives Concert Park
Day 3
- Morning Danbury Ice Arena, Danbury PAL: Police Activities League
- Afternoon Palace Theater, City Center Danbury:
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Danbury is a small city located 60 miles southwest of Hartford and 70 miles (110 km) northeast of New York City. Founded in the 17th century, Danbury is the former hat capital of the United States. It was once home to the Great Danbury Fair that has since been replaced by the Danbury Fair Mall, the largest shopping mall in Connecticut. The city has a population of about 75,000 people. It is home to Western Connecticut State University.
In 2020 Danbury made headlines because T.V. personality John Oliver started a "feud" with the city with locals (including the mayor) taking it in stride, opening a "John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant" in his honor.
Get in
By plane
- Westchester County Airport (HPN) near White Plains, NY with direct flights from 21 US cities including Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington DC, Detroit, Chicago, Orlando and Tampa. It is about 40 minutes away
- Stewart International Airport (SWF) near Newburgh, NY, with flights going to Philadelphia, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta, and Detroit. It is about 60 minutes away
- Tweed New Haven Regional Airport (HVN) in New Haven, with a flight going to Philadelphia. It is about 70 minutes away
- LaGuardia Airport in Queens, NYC, with dozens of flights going worldwide. It is about 70 minutes away
- Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, with dozens of flights going worldwide. It is about 80 minutes away
- John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, NYC, with dozens of flights going worldwide. It is about 80 minutes away
- Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, NJ, with dozens of flights going worldwide. It is about 100 minutes away
Get around
The easiest and best way to get around Danbury would be by car or bus. With the city being about 44 sq mi, it would not be easy to walk to see the entire town.
HART Bus Services The bus line that goes through Danbury is HART. The HART services range from regular buses that can go as far as New Milford and Norwalk, the CityCenter Trolley services, and bus shuttles that go straight to Brewster NY train station to go into New York City.
Rental cars Rental cars are also available for those who would rather drive themselves around. Most popular rental car services being Hertz Car Rental +1 203 743-6773, Avis Rent-A-Car +1 203 744-5450, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car +1 203 748-8998.
See
Museums
Do
Recreational sports
Do Danbury Ice Arena
Hours vary for public skate and events. Home of the Danbury Whalers, a minor league professional ice hockey team in the Federal Hockey League. A great place to take the whole family. Have public skate during the days, as well as at night. Friday night is a great public skate night for the teenagers, while during the day on weekends is better for family activities. The activities are endless ranging from watch the Danbury hockey league the Mad Hatters or even watching the local high school and college hockey games.
- O'Neill Center Westside campus of Western Connecticut State University (turn into the westside entrance and go straight) It is the multi-purpose athletic facility for WCSU. It has a weight room, swimming pool, and locker room for students. Also, contains the Feldman Arena where WCSU basketball and volleyball teams play. Local high school sports teams also hold special games at this facility. All the events are open to the public.
Do Danbury PAL: Police Activities League
A facility that is located directly across the street from Candlewood Lake. It is a great place for children of all ages to come and enjoy athletic and educational programs. These programs range from basketball, softball, cheerleading, bowling, volleyball, wrestling, etc. Aside from these organized activities there are open gyms that public can attend. Call the PAL center for specific times.
Parks
Do Candlewood Town Park
Over 200 yards of beach with a 100-acre grassy park attached. It is a manmade lake in Danbury that is a hotspot for the summer time. There is a playground and a concession stand in the park. There is also a boat dock near the beach front.
Do Hatters Park
Around 30 acres for outdoor and indoor activities. Has a Duckpin Bowling Alley, banquet hall, pond, picnic area and three softball fields.
- Kenosia Park Christopher Columbus Ave: 25-acre park with over 100 yards of beach with tables, playground, 3 soccer fields, and row boats.
- Rogers Park End of Main St and South Main St. Around 60 acres that contains recreational fields for the public and many sports teams in the Danbury area. 8 tennis courts, 10 baseball fields, handball court, soccer field, volleyball fields, and basketball courts. Also has a large playground adjacent for younger children.
- Terrywile Park Southern Blvd. 717 acre park for the hiker or outdoorsy type. Has numerous hiking trails, green house, carriage house, farm house, gate house, and a castle to explore.
Music and theaters
Do Palace Theater
Opened in 1928. Now it is a single screen venue for performing arts and movies. A great place to go and see part of the original Main St. in Danbury.
Do Ives Concert Park
WSU University Blvd. The perfect place to go for the summer. Ives is a venue for live music that is located on the west side campus of Western Connecticut State University. During the summer it is a great place for families to go and enjoy popular live music and fine arts events.
Buy
Shop Berkshire Center
It is across the street from the Holiday Inn and Courtyard Marriott and includes Marshalls, Walmart, Radio Shack, Home Goods, Staples Fashion Bug, a nail salon, pet store, Sprint phone company store, Namco pool supplies and Edible Arrangements.
Shop North Street Shopping Center
Has a Burlington Coat Factory, Mandee (young women's clothing), ShopRite groceries, a barber shop, dry cleaners, laundromat, nail salon, buffet restaurant. Urgent care center for on-the-road medical needs.
Eat
Diner
- Three Brothers Diner: 242 White St, +1 203 748-6008
- Elmer's Diner: 22 Padanaram Rd, +1 203 731-2559
- New Holiday Diner: 123 White St, +1 203 748-9798
Italian
- Cafe on the Green: 100 Aunt Hack Road, +1 203 791-0369
- Sal's Pizza Restaurant: 23 Padanaram Rd # R23, +1 203 744-2422
Eat Michael Angelo's Pizzeria
Pizza in a strip mall.
Chinese
- Sesame Seed Restaurant: 68 W Wooster St, +1 203 743-9850
- Good Taste Chinese Restaurant: 247 Main St, +1 203 798-8978
- Beijing Chinese Restaurant: 216 White St, +1 203 743-1188
- China King: 1 Division St # C, +1 203 798-9262
- Jeffrey's Chinese Kitchen: 7 Pembroke Rd, +1 203 730-8603
- Dragon Cheng: 132 West St, +1 203 790-4297
Mexican
- El Rancho Mexican: 20 White St, +1 203 730-9470
- El Millieno Restaurant: 21 North St, +1 203 207-0156
- Panchos Tacos Mexican Restaurant: 145 White St, +1 203 790-0900
- Britos Restaurant Mexican Food: 41 South St, +1 203 797-0885
Food shopping
Eat Stew Leonard's
It's Disney meets dairy, where you can enjoy a song and dance from large mechanical chickens as you pick up your eggs. Fresh dairy store that also has expanded to meats, produce, bakery, fish, cheese and wine.
Eat C-Town
Individually owned and operated store. Great place to go if you are looking for international food products.
- Stop & Shop 44 Lake Ave. Ext. +1 203 797-8901 Daily 7AM-midnight
Drink
Drink TK's American Cafe
Known for their 52 flavors of wings and TVs in every booth. A sports bar atmosphere.
Sleep
Nearby
Bethel
City / town · 22 listings · 4 mi away
Brookfield
City / town · 3 listings · 6 mi away
Ridgefield
City / town · 9 listings · 7 mi away
Brewster
City / town · 15 listings · 8 mi away
Newtown
City / town · 4 listings · 9 mi away
Lewisboro
City / town · 3 listings · 12 mi away
Somers
City / town · 10 listings · 12 mi away
Sherman
City / town · 12 mi away
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